Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A Change To Our Weather Pattern

An interesting atmospheric set up will bring us more rain and even a possibility of severe weather. Hello, I'm Chief Meteorologist, David Sawyer.

So far this summer and fall, we have been stuck in a drought situation with high pressure dominating the eastern third of the United States. The sinking air associated with high pressure systems has prevented normal amounts of clouds and showers from forming.

However, it looks like our jet stream pattern is getting more active. As a result, cool fronts and low pressure systems will work their way toward the east causing the dominant ridge of high pressure to break down.

If this continues to happen, expect a more active weather pattern with a increased chance of rain and possible severe weather associated with some of the stronger low pressure systems and associated cold fronts crossing the deep south where we live.

With all this said, Gulf moisture is poised to stream our way over the next couple of days. Additionally, a cool front will move across central Alabama late Thursday. This will kick up a line or two of strong thunderstorms. Some of the storms could become severe.

For Wednesday, expect a chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours with the daytime heating. Highs will be in the low 80s during the afternoon with southeast winds between 5 and 10 mph. However, a better chance for showers and thunderstorms will come Wednesday night as Gulf moisture becomes more abundant across central Alabama behind a warm front.


On Thursday, expect another good chance for showers and thunderstorms as the cool front approaches our area. Some of these storms could be strong or severe. The Storm Prediction Center has us under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday. Stay with CBS 42 and we will keep you updated!

This front will clear us out just in time for the weekend. Right now, the weekend looks to have abundant sunshine with pleasantly warm temperatures in the low to mid 80s during the afternoon and cool readings in the low to mid 50s overnight.

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